Following Opposition allegations of toeing RSS line, UDF government appears to walk back on Vande Mataram directive
The UDF government in Kerala appears to be reconsidering a directive to sing the full version of Vande Mataram following backlash from the Opposition. Critics accused the government of aligning with the RSS agenda by mandating the full song.
Why it matters
The controversy underscores the highly polarized nature of national symbols and cultural mandates in Indian state politics.
Following Opposition allegations of toeing the Sangh Parivar’s line on the recital of Vande Mataram in its entirety, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government appeared to walk back on the Chief Secretary’s directive to government departments to ensure the recital of the song in its entirety during the Independence Day celebrations.
Although the Chief Minister’s office is yet to make an official clarification or withdraw the directive, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan told the media on Sunday (August 9, 2026) that only the first two stanzas will be sung in the State government’s programmes. He said that the Chief Secretary sometimes issues circulars based on Union government directives. Though Mr. Muraleedharan and Education Minister N. Samsudheen of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) said that the Chief Secretary had acted as per Lok Bhavan’s directives, Lok Bhavan has reportedly denied issuing any directions.
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